Changeable display sign



Aug. 19, 1952 E. WAGNER 2,607,143

7 CHANGEABLE DISPLAY SIGN Filed July 9, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 W W i \l N W I W o w JFzuezgfah g &

w Juan 2 ngn' Patented Aug. 19, 1952 UNITED STATES CHANGEABLE DISPLAY SIGN Erwin Wagner, Chicago, Ill., a'ssignor to Wagner Sign Service, Incorporated, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application July 9, 1949, Serial No. 103,851

Claims.

1 This invention relates to display signs or boards, and is particularly concerned with changeable signs for displaying characters'in" combinations to convey desired messages, as may be required, for example, in scoreboards of the type used in baseball, football and other games. The term characters as used herein is intended to include display units such as letters, figures, numerals or any other desired symbols that may be employed for conveying messages.

The principal object of the invention is to produce a display sign comprising a housing forming a plurality of individual display openings, an individual display frame movably and removably disposed in said housing in back of each display opening, each frame for removably supporting a character, and a panel carried by each frame forming a background against whichits character or display unit appears in sharp silhouette outline.

Another object is to provide a display sign as noted in the preceding paragraph, in which the display panels are translucent, and means in said housing for illuminating the display panels of the various display areas or frames from the rear so that the corresponding characters ordisplay units may appear in sharp and clearly visible outline.

A further object is to provide a sign as intimated above, in which each display frame is pivotally or hingedly mounted for rearward angular displacement relative to the portion of the housing forming the corresponding display opening, to permit servicing, that is, to permit changing characters, from the rear, by an operator who may be stationed within the housing of the sign.

Still another object is to provide shielding means for each display frame to confine illumination to its frontal panel, and shielding means within the housing of the sign to inhibit undesired projection of light in angular direction from one display area to the other so as to avoid blinding of persons observing the sign from a position at an angle to the plane of the front wall of the housing.

The foregoing objects and other objects and features will appear from the detailed description which is rendered below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In these drawings,

Fig. 1 is a, diagrammatic frontal elevational view of a portion of a sign made in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates a portion of the sign from the top, as seen when looking in the direction of the arrows along lines 22 of Fig. 1, the front wall of the housing being shown in section;

I 2 'Fig. 3 represents diagrammatically a "transverse section taken approximately along lines 33 in Figs. 1 and 2, showing a display frame and the character carried thereby in display position;

Fig. 4 is a transversesection similar'to the one shown in Fig. 3, but taken along lines 4-4 of Figs. 1 and 2 and showing the corresponding display frame tilted rearwardly into positionv for changing the corresponding character carried thereby;

Fig. 5 shows ,a display frame in diagrammatic frontal elevational view;

Fig. 6 is a section through the display frame taken approximately along lines 6-6 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is an end view of the display frame as seen from the right when looking in the direction of the arrows along lines 'l'l of Fig. 5.

Like parts are numbered alike throughout the drawings. Known elements and details will be discussed onlyto the extent required for convey ing an understanding of the invention.

The sign may be of the type used, for example, in baseball or football games, which is mounted on a suitable structural framework (not shown). The front wall II is provided with a number of individual display openings, three being shown at l2--l3I-fl in Fig. l. A desired character may be displayed from each display opening. It is assumed in the illustrated case that three numerals are displayed, forming the message 222. Letters or other characters may of course be used as desired, depending on the game and on the messages which are to be formed for display. The characters are of the silhouette slotted type, as shown, for example, in U. S. Patent No. 2,048,040, dated July 21', 1936. In back of each display opening l2l 3-411 is disposed an individual display frame for removably supporting a desired character or display unit.

The display frame is shown in Figs. 5-7, and by referring now to these figures, it will be seen that it comprises a marginal cross-sectionally U-shaped channel forming a holder having the sidewalls l5l6, the top wall I1 and the bottom wall 18. Mounted within this holder-is a panel l9 forming a display background for its character. The panel may be translucent; e. g., it may be made of frosted glass or the like, if illumination from the rear is desired, or it may be made of opaque material in cases were illumination is not necessary.

Secured to the side walls 15-46 of the holder in any desired manner, for example, by Welding, are angular brackets 20-2l and 22-23, respectively. Each bracket has a forwardly tilting angular portion, as is articularly shown in Figs.

6 and 7, and suitably secured, for example, by welding, to the free ends of the angular portions of each pair of brackets 2022 and 21-23, respectively, is a crossbar, as indicated at 24-45, respectively. The two vertically spaced crossbars 2425 constitute the mounting means for a silhouette character of the slotted type mentioned before.

Secured to each of the opposite side walls ||6 of the holder of the frame is an angular shielding member. Each shielding member forms a laterally outwardly directed shield portion and a rearwardly directed portion which is suitably secured, for example, by spot-welding, to the corresponding side wall H: or N5 of the frame. The angular shielding member secured to the side wall I5 thus forms the laterally outwardly projecting shield portion 26, and the correspond ing shielding member secured to the side wall 16 forms the angular laterally outwardly projecting L shield portion 21. The rearwardly directed portion of the shielding member forming the shield 21 is visible in Fig. 7 and indicated by numeral 28. The corresponding rearwardly directed portion of the shielding member forming the shield 28 is not visible in Fig. 5, but is of course similar to the portion 28 of Fig. 7. These shielding members may be made, for example, of thin sheet material so as to have a certain amount of resilience. The purpose of the shields 26-41 formed thereby is to prevent seepageof light peripherally of the frame to the outside through the corresponding display opening.

The function of the shielding members may be explained with reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 Where it is assumed that the display frame of Figs. 5, 6 and '7 is the one carrying the numeral 2 visible through the right hand display opening indicated in Fig. 1. Accordingly, examining Fig. 2, we see the top portion or channel I! of the display frame, and along its side walls we see the shields 262l attaching to the rear of the front wall I! of the housing of the sign. In Fig. 3, we see the rearwardly projecting portion 28 and the latenally outwardly directed portion 21 of the shield which is secured to the side wall channel l5 of the display frame. Light from th light sources such as 30-3l thus is prevented from seeping peripherally of the display opening M, which might produce a disturbing halo effect.

It will be observed that the display frame extends appreciably above and below the top and bottom edges of the display opening, thus forming shielding means for undesired peripheral radiation of light to th outside at the top and bottom of the display opening.

Each individual display frame for each individual character is constructed alike, and the foregoing description of one frame and its function will suffice for all.

The housing, as has been said before, forms the front wall [I with its various display openings such as indicated at I2l3-I4. Suitably secured to the front wall in back thereof is a horizontally extending platformlike member 35. This member carries a casing comprising the rear wall 36, the top wall 31 and th end walls 3839. Each end Wall extends forwardly into engagement with the inside of the front wall H of the housing, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. Se-

cured to the rear wall 36, inside thereof, is a F generally U-shaped member 40 forming a longitudinal channel which may carry the wiring for the light sources 30-31, 4 [-42 and similar light sources suitably distributed on the channel 49 within the casing between the end walls 38-39.

The portions of the end walls 3839, which extend forwardly, form inwardly directed lips 4344, respectively, as shown in Figs. 2-4. End shields or deflectors i546 are formed within the casing, as indicated in Fig. 2, which slant downwardly and forwardly from the front edge M of the top wall 31, and intermediate shields or deflectors d849 are provided which slant similarly downwardly and forwardly from the front edge 41 of the top wall 31 of the interior casing. Each end shield or deflector 65 4-6 has an inwardly and rearwardly directed lip or flange, as indicated, for example, at 50 in connection with the end shield $8 in Fig. 3, and each intermediate shield or deflector 58-49 has on each side an inwardly and rearwardly turned lip or flange, as indicated, for example, at Si in Fig. 4 in connection with the shield 48.

These shields or deflectors 45, 48, Q9 and Z5 (readingfrom left to to right. in Fig. 2) and their inwardly and rearwardly turned flanges or lips such as Ell-51 shown in connection with the shields 46 and 48, respectively, and similar inwardly turned flanges formed by the remaining shields, have the function to direct the radiation of light from the various light sources forwardly, principally to concentrate illumination upon the translucent panels of the various display areas or frames mounted in the corresponding display openings of the sign. The feature is considered important because, as will be described later on. each display frame may be tilted rearwardly so as to gain access to its character for the removal and changing thereof, and in such circumstance radiation of light at such an angle to the outside as might catch the eye of a player and blind him must of course be avoided. While the blinding of a player would have to be considered a serious shortcoming in a sign of this type, it is and 4 at 5 l, forming just underneath and in back i of the bottom margin of each display opening a hinge or pivot channel for the corresponding display frame or display unit which is to be used in conjunction with such display opening. The

7 bottom edge of each display frame is inserted into its hinge or pivot channel from the rear, and after placing the desired character on the crossbars of the frame. the frame is tilted forwardly into display position in which the display frame having shields 27-28 is shown in Fig. 3. The frame is then secured in display position by means of a latch member indicated at 65. The character or display unit supported on the frame is now likewise in display position projecting forwardly from the plane of the front wall of the 5. on the. same level asi the: bottom. wall of the interior: casing only for convenience of: description. The operator. is. informed of: a scorewhich he hasto. display during the garlic,. and whenever: a changeis. indicated. he operates the correspond: inglatch 6.55B 61 torelease the desired dis.-

play: frame, tiltin it rearwardly' on its hinge or.

I and latches it in position.

it-Will-be observedthat, While the change takes place, the translucent. panel is in tilted position at. anangleat which it. will project: diffused light upwardly,-that is, away from the field'of observation. of the public and the players, thereby avoiding glare. Lateral projection of lightthrough the partially exposed. display opening such as it in Fig; l is inhibited by the shielding means already discussed.

A; sectional interior casing comprising the top wall 3] and the end Walls 38-459 for tl e three display units or areas shown in the figures has been included for the sake of convenience. If desired, each display opening may have its individual casing containing illuminating means and, conversely, a greater number of display areas or openings than those shown mayhave illuminating. means housed in common.

Thenumber of display. openings or areas may vary and their relative mutual positions may vary as desired or required in any given instance of use. 7 H

A display unit is not necessarily limited to a single and unitary character, such as a numeral,

letter orother symbol, but may be a composite symbol or may comprise a plurality of individual symbols. I

.Silhouette characters or display. units of the slotted type have been shown for convenience of description only, because it is apparent that otherjspecific types of characters or units may be used within the scope of the invention.

Theadvantages of the various features of the invention, particularly when used in a sign of the scoreboard type for games, will be appreciated from the following observations.

The; characters or display units may be of considerable size, in fact, they may be over 30" in height, depending on the overall size of the scoreboard. The manipulation of characters of such size may be a hazardous task, particularly when they must be handled from the outside of the sign, by the operator whohas tomove along a scaffolding, as is the case in most scoreboards of the general type discuss ed.. .'l 'he invention practically eliminates all hazards and greatly facilitates the changing of the characters.

; It shouldbe noted also that the characters may be made, e. g, molded of synthetic materials to produce relatively lightweight units which are easily handled. r I a The manipulation of a scoreboard by an operator moving along a scaffolding in front of the scoreboard and in sight of the spectators and players may distract attention from the game; Such distraction is eliminated by the invention.

The characters used at present in scoreboards of the class discussed are usually made of flat stock and cannot be read at all or only with difficulty when struck. by direct light, e. g., when, struck. directly. by sunlight- The. characters used.

in the present invention. extend. in; two. Planes, vertical and horizontal; that: is, they have sur-- face and. also depth, andiare, always clearly visible from any angleof observation and under anycon- Y dition in which sunlight: or'lightufrom an. arti-' ficial.sourcemayzstrike them;

. Illumination of: the-display-panels ofthe various display units or areas from therear. thereof, by-

the. light sources disposed; in theinterior ofithev sign, may be .used onlyrwhen desired, e. g.., during games-played after daylight. Theuse of'exterior illuminating. sources such asspotlights is thus eliminated.

The scoreboard may'include any desired combination of display areas in addition to those shown in the; drawings, as may-be required by the. rulesv of. the gameor games for which itis intended.

The I front wall of the scoreboard which forms thedisplay openings is not necessarily part of a: rearwardly closed housing, but may be a Wall formed: in front, of a rearwardly open structure.

The term. housing.r'as used herein is intended to Changes may be made within the 'scope and spirit'of the accompanying claims in which -'I have defined what is considered new and desired" to have protected by-Letters Patent of the-United States.

I claim: -1. A changeable display sign for: displaying a message composed of a plurality ofindividual in dividually removable and exchangeable display symbols comprising a casing,'-'said casing having a. front wall, a bottom wall,-end walls and a top wall, said top wall/extending ever part ofthe space'betweenthe rear. wall and the front wall leaving a. permanently open top opening-through tending pivot channel, a guide member -extend ing from each e'nd'ofeach'pivot-channel at an angle rearwardly and upwardly into engagement.

which access may be gained totheinterior of said casing; a plurality of v display openings in said front wall of said casing, one for each individual with the front edge of said top wall, a displayframe for each display opening comprising 2. mar' ginal frame structure framing a display panel" and having supporting" means extending in'front thereof" for"reinovabl y supporting an individual display symbolfs'aid'panel forminga display backgroundffor said symbol,- each frame being re.- movably disposedwithits bottom edge loosely resting in its associated pivot channel, .whereby the 'entire display frame maybe tilted "rear: wardly to rest on its opposite sides" against the associated rearwardly'and upwardly extending guide members to place thedisplay symbol ca'rried thereby in rearwardly tilted position in which said symbol is accessible for removal and exchange through the top opening formed by said" top wall, and latch means for each display openin in back of the top edge thereof for securing the associated display frame in upright position for the display of the corresponding display symbol against said panel.

2. The structure defined in claim 1, together with illuminating means in said casing in back of said display openings for illuminating the display panels corresponding thereto, and shield means in said casing and carried by said guide members, respectively, for substantially blocking the escape of light through a display opening which is partially exposed to the outside frontally of said sign at times when the associated display frame and its panel is tilted rearwardly to effect removal and exchange of the corresponding display symbol, thereby preventing blinding of the observer of the sign during the exchange of display symbols and confining the effect of the illuminating means substantially to the respective display areas covered by said display panels during times when said panels and the display symbols in front thereof are in effective display position.

3. In a changeable display sign, a casing comprising a substantially horizontally extending bottom wall, a substantially vertically extending front wall, a rear wall extending substantially in parallel with and rearwardly spaced from said front wall, a top wall extending from the top edge of said rear wall forwardly toward said front wall substantially in parallel with said bottom wall, the forward edge of said top wall being spaced from the back of said front wall, a plurality of horizontally spaced forwardly and downwardly slanting intermediate wall members extending from the forward edge of said top wall each with its bottom edge substantially in engagement with the inside of said front wall at the juncture thereof with said bottom wall, illuminating means in said casing, said intermediate wall members forming in back of said front wall a plurality of horizontally spaced openings for the passage of light forwardly toward said front wall, marginal strips formed along edges of said intermediate wall members which form said openings and rearwardly extending therefrom, a display opening formedin said front wall substantially inrearward alignment with each opening formed by said intermediate wall members, an angular bracket disposed in back of each display opening and downwardly spaced from the bottom edge thereof to form a horizontally extending bottom channel thereat, a display panel for pivotal engagement at-its bottom edge with said channel, said display panel being adapted to support removably a character for display through the associated display opening in said front wall, whereby said display panel may be tilted rearwardly with its marginal portions resting against the marginal portions of the associated opening formed by adjacent intermediate wall members to position it for receiving a character for display, and means for securing said panel in upright position in back of its associated display opening in said front wall to display said character therethrough, said intermediate wall members and said marginal strips thereon forming shield means to inhibit passage of light angularlyoutwardly of the openings formed thereby.

4. The structure defined in claim 3, together with strip means extending laterally from the sides of said display panel to shield the associated display opening in said front wall against marginal angular outward passage of light when said panel is in rearwardly tilted position for the exchange and replacement of a character for display.

5. A changeable display sign comprising a boxlike casing having a bottom wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a front wall and end walls, an intermediate downwardly and forwardly slanting wall disposed in back of said front wall, said intermediate wall forming with said front wall a downwardly converging upwardly open front chamber and forming with the remaining walls an' enclosure in back of said front chamber, illuminating means disposed in said enclosure, horizontally spaced light-passage openings being formed in said intermediate wall for the passage of light from said enclosure forward toward said front wall, a display opening formed in said front wall in rearward alignment with each light-passage opening in said intermediate wall, a display panel for cooperation with each pair of openings comprising one of said display openings in said front wall and an associated light-passage opening in said intermediate wall, means for pivotally upporting each display panel at the bottom thereof, whereby each such panel may be brought into display position in back of said front wall in parallel therewith and extending in back of and covering one of said display openings therein or in alternate rearwardly angularly slanting servicing position in front of said intermediate wall in parallel therewith and covering the associated light-passage opening therein, said display panel being in said servicing position accessible through said front chamber for the servicing thereof,

tion and while such panel is in its servicing position.

ERWIN WAGNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,069,368 Horinstein Feb. 2, 1937 2,113,285 Wamser Apr. 4, 1938, 2,114,639 Preddey Apr. 19, 1938 2,230,873 Wagner Feb. 4, 1941 2,313,723 Adler Mar. 16,1943 2,313,724 Adler Mar. 16, 1943 2,527,679 Krueger Oct. 31, 1950 

